Bracelet flashlight holder



July 11, 1939. J, F F SEL 2,165,625

smcisnm' FLASHLIGHT HOLDER Filed May 7 1957 PATENT OFFICE A BRACELET FLASHLIGHT HOLDER John F. Fessel, Defiance, Ohio Application May '1, 1931. Serial No. 141.:

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a flashlight holder and it is one object of the invention to provide a device of this character including a band resembling a bracelet or wristlet and adapted to be secured about a persons wrist and mount a flashlight in such position that it extends longitudinally of a person's arm. It will thus be seen that the flashlight will be so mounted that it will direct its light forwardly along a person's hand and a dark corner or other confined space illuminated while doing work.

It is another object of the invention to so construct the device that, when it is secured about a persons wrist or a portion of the arm near the wrist, the light will be firmly supported in position to direct its light forwardly and leave both hands free. It will thus be seen that the light will be at all times directed upon work to be performed and free use of both hands will not be interfered with by its being necessary to hold the light with one hand.

,Another object of the invention is to provide the device with an improved flashlight engaging clamp so constructed that it will engage firmly a about the tubular barrel or casing of the flashlight and also so constructed that it will accommodate itself to the diameter of the flashlight casing. It will thus be seen that flashlight casings or barrels which may vary somewhat in go their external diameter may be applied tothe holder and firmly gripped. It will also be seen that a flashlight may be firmly held in the clamp but at the same time permitted of easy removal when so desired.

a The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing a flashlight of a conventional construction carried by the improved holder,

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the holder with the flashlight removed, and

Figure 3 is a view showing the holder in end elevation.

The band I of this flashlight holder is of dimensions adapting it to engage about a person's wrist or the forward portion of the forearm and is of such width that, when it is in place, it will not be liable to cut into a person's skin and cause binding action which will be uncomfortable. Straps 2 and 3 are secured to end portions of the band I by stitches, as shown at l, and one of these straps carries a buckle 5 for engagement by the other strap in order that the band may be secured firmly about the wrist or forearm.

In order to carry the flashlight 6, there has been provided a clamp which is indicated in general by the numeral I and formed as shown clearlyinFigures2and3ofthe drawing. Thisclamp is formed froma strip of resilient sheet metal having enlarged end portions which provide attaching ears I through which rivets [are passed to secure the ears firmly against the wristencircling band or bracelet I. The intermediate portion of the sheet metal blank or strip from which the clamp is formed is bent to provide a I.

semi-circular jaw II and is then bent to provide the arm ll of the jaw with outer leaves It integrally united to the ears 8 and the outer ends of the arms ll of the jaw l0. These leaves l2 serve to suspend the jaw between them and also ll constitute reinforcing means for the jaw. It should also be noted that, since at the junction of the, leaves I! with the outer ends of the arms H of the jaw there have been provided rounded bends IS, a flashlight may be easily applied to or removed from the clamp without being liable to catch against ends of the arms of the clamp as would be the case if these arms had blunt ends. It should be further noted that by applying pressure to the ears 8 to force them towards each other the leaves I! will exert pull upon the ends of the arms ll of the jaw and cause these arms to be sprung apart during insertion or removal of the battery. This will make it easy to insert or remove the battery whichwill be very firmly gripped when in place.

When this flashlight holder is in use, the band or bracelet l is secured about a person's wrist or about the forearm adjacent the wrist and the flashlight may be applied either after the band has been secured about the wrist or beforehand. As the flashlight is forced into place between the arms of the jaw Ill, these arms are spread sufficiently to permit passage of the flashlight barrel or casing and then contract or move towards each other so that the flashlight barrel will be firmly gripped in the clamp. The leaves I! of the jaws serve to impart added resiliency to the arms of the jaw and cause the flashlight to be very firmly gripped and also brace the arms. By applying abnormal pressure to the end portions of the ears 8 these ears may be forced toward each other and the arms of the jaw will be swung apart, thus making it easier to insert orremove the flashlight and also permitting the flashlight to be longitudinally adjusted through the clamp. As soon as the ears are released, the resiliency of g the jaw and the leaves II will return the clamp into tight binding engagement with the flashlight. Q

The flashlight as held by the holder extends longitudinally of a person's arm and directs its light forwardly towards the hand and fingers of the arm to which it is applied. It should also be noted that, when the flashlight is mounted against the inner portion of the arm, the clamp will space it away from the arm a sufllcient distance to cause its beam of light to pass the hand and be directed upon the finger tips so that work being done can be clearly seen.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A flashlight holder comprising a mounting band. adapted to be secured about a person's wrist, and a flashlight engaging clamp carried'by said band and consisting of a strip oi. relatively wide and thin resilient sheet metal bent intermediate its length to provide a yieldable socket open at its top for insertion of a flashlight and having its arm folded outwardly and back upon themselves to provide outer leaves extending in spaced and substantially parallel relation to the arms of the socket to a point below the plane of the bottom of the socket, said leaves having their outer: ends integrally united to the outer ends of arms 01 the socket andsuspending the socket between the leaves in spaced relation thereto and out of contact with the portion or the band under the socket, end portions of said strip being bent outwardly to provide attaching ears extending outwardly frominner ends of the leaves and secured against the outer lace or said band.

JOHN F. FESSEL. 

